St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-04-30
An Investigation of Grain Inspection
Shows There is Considerable Too
Much Politics in 1t.
The Saloonkeepers May Take Out Lii
censes for Two Months More on
$500 Basis.
Refusal of the Council by a Tie Vote
to Reconsider the 'Eight-Hour
Resolution.
Trouble at the Twenty Fourth Street
Sewer--The Police Commits
sion at w ork.
POLITICS AND GRAIN MIXED.
Investigating the lnspectiOn.-Too
Much Politics in the APpoint-

Investigating the lnSpectiOn..Too
Much Politics in the APpoint-
IneMt.
A rather interesting and amusing scene
occurred at the chamber of commerce yes
terday, and it was scene which had a
certainly unlooked-for ending. Two MEM
berS of the state railway and warehouse
commission had called the meeting for the
purposes of All Investigation. They were
George l.. Becker and John l.. Gibbs, and
the invest; CATION was in relation to the
grain inspection at Minneapolis. There
have been complaints from the East on this
subject, and complaints at home. and finally
number of commission men signed petit
ton for an investigation. The commission
met in committee room and all interested
We're invited to be present. A. c. Clausen,
deputy state inspector, was respondent and
was himself virtually under investigation,
as he is responsible for the grading at this
point. Chief Inspector James was also
present, but had nothing to say. The Mime
apoliS elevator and commission men spoke
rather freely, and it was soon in evidence
that the grading was horribly bungled up.
Members of the chamber claimed the grad
ing was not uniform to begin with and
shat grades were mixed in such a manner
As to lead to doubt whether the inspectors
ever saw some of the cars.
H. W. Pratt growled about the lack of
uniformity. James Marshall said the grad
ing was loosely done and as cOnse
Quence Minneapolis was losing her reputa-
ton as a market. William Petit said the
grade was falling below that of past years.
They agreed that Inspector Clausen was a
grain expert, and the trouble must be with
the men under him. Mr.. Miller was op-
posed to any change in the mode Of in
spection. unless other points changed also.
Mr.. Marshall drew paper from his pocket,
which, he said, was a petition for the re-
noval of A. c. Clausen, signed by three
.ourthS of The members of the chamber.
This led Mr.. Miller to wonder why Mr.. Clau-
sen remained, especially as he had said he
would never serve as deputy under Chief
Inspector James. Mr.. ClauSen denied this,
and several warm words passed. In his de-
tense Mr.. ClauSen said he had not had the
cooperation of the members 1t secured
inaily the decision that while Mr.. Clausen
mas d good man. his men were not compe-
ent and he could not handle them. A
pause ensued. which was broken by voice
IN the rear growing out:
TOO much politics in these appointments. :"
That's so,' affirmed C. II. Petit, IF
Charlie Pillsbury, Loren Fletcher and George
Bracket would keep out of this, things would
be different
Il can vouch for Charlie Pillsbury having
his share in it, said James Marshall.
All of this set everybody to thinking,
and some facts dawned on them. In the
first place. A. c. Clausen has been in the
wheat business for twenty years and is re-
garded as an expert. He is certainly
competent to inspect and grade wheat.
But the trouble is that the assistant grain
inspectors, OF whom there are five in Min
neapolis, instead of being appointed by
in, with sole regard to their qualifications
and then being held responsible to him,
they really receive their appointments as
political rewards and look upon themselves
Is subject to the same powers as the head
sf the department and in a measure indie
pendent of him. OF course he has no con-
.rOl over them. A prominent commission
man said yesterday that under the system
OF filling up these offices with political
friends of three or four leading politicians,
without any regard fer their knowledge of
wheat he wondered any grading was done
at all.
1t was suggested by Mr. Pratt at the con-
ference that the deputy inspector should
have full control over his men and change
them whenever necessary. This was con-
Cured in by Mr.. Becker and seemed to
meet the assent of a majority OF those
present. Without arriving at any conclu--
sion the conference was ended but it is safe
TO say the suggestions thrown out about
politics put a new face on the affair and
will Tor shouldl have its effect ON the COM
mission in making decision.